Quick release safety tool joint and connection



Oct. 2, 1962 R. A. MCCLINTOCK ETAL 3,056,614

QUICK RELEASE SAFETY TOOL JOINT AND CONNECTION Original Filed March 26,1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 2, 1962 R. A. MQCLINTOCK ETAL 3,056,614

QUICK RELEASE SAFETY TOOL JOINT AND CONNECTION Original Filed March 26,1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG -5 INVENTORS 20:5 4. M-cz m racz awn/v0 A.mam-vow y n'A/lvimi. ldiGfA/i? United States Patent ()fiice 3,056,614Patented Oct. 2, 1962 2 Claims. (Cl. 285-39) This invention relatesgenerally to well drilling equip ment, and relates more particularly toa releasable, safety tool joint for use with Well drilling equipment.

This application is a continuation of patent applicatron, Serial No.648,717, filed March 26, 1957 and now abandoned.

In the well drilling industry, it is common practice to employ adrilling string for rotary drilling. These drilling strings arecomprised of a number of pipe sections which are connected end to end bytool joint couplings. There are occasions when it is desired to detachand/or reattach portions of the strings to other portions thereof. When,for example, the lower portion of a string becomes jammed or stuck sothat it cannot readily be pulled or raised, it is desirable to detachthe unfrozen or upper part of the string, thereby enabling that part tobe withdrawn and recovered.

In at least one type of off-shore drilling operation, it

is essential to disconnect and to connect certain portions of thedrilling string at different stages of the operation, and underemergency conditions, such as a sudden storm, it is important that adisconnection be efiectuated very quickly. It is a general object ofthis invention, therefore, to provide a safety type tool joint that willmeet the various requirements of the conditions set forth above.

A second object of this invention is to generally improve upon prior artdevices of this kind, which are capable of being rapidly and easilyconnected and/or disassembled from remote points of operation.

It is a further object to provide a tool joint which may be assembledfrom a remote operational position by merely telescoping the connectorparts, and wherein a novel arrangement of parts provides fluid-tightcommunication through the joint.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool joint for use indrilling strings wherein no combination of rotational and axial loads onthe string can effect a disconnection; wherein a fluid-tightcommunication is provided through the joint; and wherein the tool jointmay be uncoupled by means accessible from without the tool joint.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be suggested by thedescription and drawings. After considering the embodiments describedherein, persons skilled in the art will understand that variations maybe made without departing from the principles disclosed.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of portions of -a tool joint embodying the presentinvention, the mandrel being shown in side elevation, and an adjacentportion of the barrel assembly being shown partly in longitudinalsection and separated from the mandrel;

FIG. 2 is another side view of the tool joint shown in FIG. 1, but withboth mandrel and barrel assembly partly in section, the mandrel andbarrel being assembled;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the key sleeve of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2,showing the sealing groove thereof;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a tool used with the device of FIGS. l-4 foreffecting release of the joint as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation, partially in section, of another embodimentof this invention.

General Description Each of the tool joints herein described iscomprised of a pair of tubular conduit sections, one of which istelescopically received in the other. The outer surface of the innerconduit and the inner surface of the outer conduit are provided withmating camming means which consist of a plurality of helical recesses inone surface and a plurality of camming lugs on the other. A key sleeve,having a plurality of axially extending key appendages, is provided forlocking the two sections together. The key appendages mate with axialsurface grooves which intersect the helical recesses; and, once theconduit sections are jointed, the key appendages are moved into alocking position which prevents the removal of the camming lugs from thehelical recesses, shown in FIG. 2. A resilient biasing means is providedto engage the key sleeve and to urge it into its locking position. Ifthe key sleeve is retracted against the biasing means until the keyappendages are removed from the surface locking grooves, the tool jointsmay be uncoupled by a mere axial separation of the two conduit sections.

In addition, each embodiment of this invention has a novel constructionwhich provides fluid-tight communication through the tool joint, but yetthe key sleeve may be retracted by means accessible from without thejoint.

Specific Description Referring now to the form of the inventionillustrated in FIGS. 1-5, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the innerconduit section or mandrel 1 comprises a base portion 2 and a reduceddiameter sleeve extension 3. The mandrel is preferably secured to theend of a pipe section by welding, but it is to be understood that themandrel may be formed integrally with the pipe section.

Base portion 2 is provided with an annular groove 4 adjacent the endnearest the pipe section. A sealing ring 5 is disposed in this groove,and it cooperates with the inner surface of the outer conduit section 6,as shown in FIG. 2. The base 2 and extension sleeve 3 join at a shoulder7, and from this juncture a plurality of axial grooves 8 are formed inthe outer surface of the base. The axial grooves are spaced annularly,and while any practical number of grooves may be utilized, the mandrelillustrated is provided with three such grooves spaced at regularintervals (or every Base 2 is also formed with a camming meanscomprising one or more helical camming grooves or recesses 9. Each ofthese grooves begins from an axial groove and extends convolutely aboutthe base. Grooves 8 and 9 thereby form a continuous recess on the outersurface of the mandrel with its origin at shoulder 7 and extendingaxially therefrom, and then in a helical or inclined path across theouter cylindrical surface of base portion 2. As illustrated, each axialgroove 8 may be provided with one or more helical grooves, two suchgrooves being shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The outer conduit section or tubular barrel 6 defines a barrel housing10 and an inner reduced conduit portion 11 which join at an innershoulder 12, as shown in FIG. 2. The barrel housing receives the greaterportion of the mandrel and also houses a key sleeve 13, described below;and, the reduced conduit portion receives the projected end of extensionsleeve 3. Both barrel housing 10 and reduced conduit portion 11 have aninner diameter which is slightly greater than the respective outerdiameters of the base portion 12 and extension sleeve 3. A pair ofsealing rings 14 is disposed in annular grooves on the inner surface ofconduit portion 11 between the outer surface of the extension sleeve.These sealing rings provide a fluid-tight seal between the mandrel andbarrel.

A camming means, comprising helically shaped lugs 15, is provided on theinner cylindrical surface of the barrel. These lugs are formed with ahelical shape to provide camming surfaces 16 which mate with inclinedsurfaces of helical grooves 9. One connecting lug is provided for eachhelical groove formed in the mandrel. Where two helical grooves areprovided for each of three axial grooves, as illustrated in FIG. 1, atotal of six conneoting lugs will be provided on the barrel. These lugsare spaced annularly and axially for cooperative and simultaneousengagement with axial grooves 8 and helical grooves 9. That is, in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the six lugs required are disposed inpairs on the inner cylindrical surface of barrel housing 10. Each pairof lugs is spaced 120 apart with one lug of each pair axially alignedwith the other. It will be noted that with this arrangement each pair oflugs cooperates wit-h the same axial groove, and since each lug is thesame size and shape (as are the recesses provided in the mandrel) anyone pair of lugs will mate with any one of the recesses.

From the above description, it will be noted that if the respectivepairs of lugs are aligned with an axial groove, and if the mandrel andbarrel are telescoped together, lugs 15 will pass into the grooves untilthe most advanced lug 1511 will abut against the lower recess. Becauseof the inclined contours of the mating surfaces, there is effected arelative rotation of the barrel unit and a simultaneous telescoping ofparts until the lugs seat themselves against the ends '17 of therecesses. The size of the helical grooves and lugs will be determinedsuch that when the lugs are seated at the ends of the recesses 9, thetrailing axial edge 18 of each lug will clear the respective axialgroove of each recess.

To enhance the mating of the lugs in the axial grooves, the latter areflared outwardly at the shoulder 7 as indicated at point 19. This willprovide an enlarged opening for the axial grooves, and thereby enable afaster and less controlled connection of the barrel to the mandrel.

The barrel housing of FIG. 1 is provided with an oblong opening 20. Thisopening permits access to the key sleeve 13 and by means of a releasingtool the sleeve may be axially retracted against the biasing means aswill be more accurately described. It will be noted, however, that theopening 20 is oblong in the axial direction to expose an outer surfacearea of the key sleeve during an axial retraction.

Key sleeve 13 is disposed in the barrel housing 10 and is mountedtherein for relative reciprocal movement.

The sleeve is provided with a plurality of key appendages 21, the samein number as axial grooves provided in the mandrel. As shown, these keysextend axially from the end of the sleeve closest to base 2 and aredisposed annularly about the sleeve and at uniformly spaced distancesfor cooperative engagement with the axial grooves 8. The ends of thekeys are rounded on one side to facilitate entrance into the axialgrooves.

The outer surface of the key sleeve is axially splined in one or moreplaces 22 for receiving the projecting ends of one or more setscrews 23in the barrel housing. The axial splines and their cooperating setscrewsprovide a means to prevent rotation of the sleeve in the barrel butallow limited axial movement therein.

The key sleeve is also provided with a plurality of axial grooves 24,shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. These grooves are annularly spaced to coincidewith each pair of lugs on the barrel, and they are of sufiicient widthto pass the lugs therethrough. This construction permits the insertionor removal of the key sleeve from the open end of the barrel. Thecamming lugs can then be formed integrally with the barrel or they maybe aflixed to the barrel before fitting the key sleeve into position.Once the key sleeve is fitted into the barrel and positioned beyond thelugs, the sleeve is rotated such that grooves 24 are no S longed alignedwith lugs 15. The setscrews 23 are then installed, thereby preventingrotation of the sleeve and confining it in the barrel housing.

An oblong shaped groove 25 is provided on the outer surface of the keysleeve (best shown in FIG. 3) and is of slightly larger size thanopening 20 described above. When the key sleeve occupies the lockingposition, groove 25 will surround opening 20. A sealing ring 26 isdisposed in the groove to prevent foreign material from passing into thetool joint when assembled.

A notched recess 27 is formed in the outer surface of the key sleeve andis located in the extremity of groove 2'5 closest to key appendages 21.The notch is freely accessible from without the barrel through opening20, and, being located as shown and described, it provides means forretracting the key sleeve to the unlocking position.

When the barrel assembly is disconnected from the mandrel, the keysleeve is urged into abutment with the lugs 15 by a resilient biasingmeans 23. As shown in FIG. 2, this means comprises a coiled compressionspring which seats against the inner shoulder 12 of the barrel and alsoagainst the innermost end of the key sleeve. When the joint isassembled, the coils of this spring occupy the cylindrical cavitybetween extension sleeve 3 and housing 16.

Operation of the tool joint illustrated in FTGS. l4 is as follows:

A connection between barrel 6 and mandrel .1 is made simply by bringingthe two parts axially together. Sleeve extension '3 will enter thebarrel unobstructed until lugs 15 abut the shoulder 7 at an ungroovedportion of the base 2. A slight rotation of the barrel will permit thecamming lugs to engage the openings of grooves 8 and move axiallytherein until the camming surfaces 16 engage the lower edge of thecamming recesses. Since the lugs and recesses are inclined, a slightaxial pressure on the barrel assembly (or the Weight of the stringalone) will simultaneously telescope and rotate the lugs into theirrespective recesses. While the lugs are being received and the mandreladvances into the barrel, the key sleeve 13 is forced into a retractedposition by abutment of keys against shoulder 7. When the barrelassembly is fully rotated to the position where the lugs are located inthe furthermost part of the recess, keys 2 1 will then arrive at aposition of alignment with the axial grooves. Under the pressure appliedby the resilient biasing means 28, the key sleeve will move forward,carrying the keys into a locking position.

To disconnect the tool joint, it is merely necessary to draw axiallyupon the key sleeve and away from the mandrel. The resilient biasingmeans is thereby compressed and the keys are retracted from the axialgrooves. Continuing to apply the reverse axial pressure to the sleevewill transmit axial pressure to the barrel and, by reverse cammingaction, the barrel assembly Will be rotated and telescoped away from themandrel. I

The form of the invention above described is constructed so that aspecial retracting (or unlocking) tool, shown in FIG. 5, may be usedtherewith, and opening 20 is provided in barrel 6 for this purpose. Thistool operates similarly to ice tongs and comprises a pair of arcuatelyshaped members 29 and 3% which are pivotally connected. The end ofmember 2 9 is pointed and will engage the notch 27. The end of member 3%carries an arcuately shaped plate 31 adapted to slidably engage thebarrel at the side opposite opening 24 as shown in FIG. 2.

A second form of this invention is illustrated in FIG. (6, and isstructurally similar to that described. This modification is alsoadapted to be released from the exterior, but the means provided forretracting the key sleeve is different. In this construction, the barrelhousing 10 is not provided with an opening 26, nor is the key sleeveprovided with a sealing means 2526 and a notch 27. Like the tool jointpreviously described, but with particular reference to FIG. 6, barrel 1%defines a barrel housing 110 and an inner reduced conduit portion 1 111,which join at an inner shoulder 112. An axial bore hole 140 is madethrough the shoulder 1 12, thereby providing a passageway and accessinto the barrel 6 from without. The key sleeve 1 13 is provided with atapped bore 141 axially aligned with bore hole 140, and a retracting rod142 is projected through hole 140 and threadedly connected to the keysleeve. The outer end of rod 142 is shaped into a hook which is housedin a slot 143 formed in the outer casing of the barrel at the opening ofbore hole 140. A sealing means 144 is disposed in the bore hole toprevent the entry of foreign matter.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 is in other respects structurally the same asabove described, and the coupling is formed by telescoping the partstogether. To disconnect the mandrel from the barrel, any suitable toolor connecting line may be used to engage the hooked end of rod 142 andretract the key sleeve. A continuing axial pull on the key sleeve willeffectuate disassembly of the tool joint.

Although there are described and illustrated certain preferredembodiments of this invention, it will be understood that the inventionis not limited thereto but may be otherwise embodied or practiced withinthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. In a joint for coupling pipe sections and the like, a tubular mandrelcomprising a base portion and an extension sleeve of lesser diameter,said base having axial grooves intersecting helical camming recessesformed in its outer surface; a tubular barrel including a housing havingan inner reduced conduit portion for receiving said extension sleeve, asealing means circumferentially disposed in said reduced portion forcooperatively engaging the outer surface of said sleeve; helicallyshaped lugs disposed on the inner surface of said barrel for axialalignment with said axial grooves, said lugs having camming surfaces forcooperatively engaging surfaces of said camming recesses; a tubular keysleeve mounted in said barrel between said lugs and said reducedportion, said key sleeve provided with key appendages extending axiallyfrom the end of said sleeve nearest said base and disposed forcooperatively engaging said axial grooves; means engaging said keysleeve and preventing rotation of said sleeve in said barrel butpermitting relative axial movement therebetween; and furthercharacterized in that said barrel is provided with an opening in spacedproximity to said lugs, said opening being oblong in the axialdirection; said tubular key sleeve also having an oblong-shaped grooveformed in its outer surface and disposed for circuniscribing said oblongopening, a sealing means seated in said groove, and a tool engagementmeans formed on the outer surface of said key sleeve and disposed withinsaid oblong groove.

2. In a joint for coupling pipe sections and the like, a tubular mandrelcomprising a base portion and an extension sleeve of lesser diameter,said base having axial grooves intersecting helical carnming recessesformed in its outer surface; a tubular barrel including a housing havingan inner reduced conduit portion for receiving said extension sleeve, asealing means circumferentially disposed in said reduced portion forcooperatively engaging the outer surface of said sleeve; helicallyshaped lugs disposed on the inner surface of said barrel for axialalignment with said axial grooves, said lugs having camming surfaces forcooperatively engaging surfaces of said carnniing recesses; a tubularkey sleeve mounted in said barrel between said lugs and said reducedportion, said key sleeve provided with key appendages extending axiallyfrom the end of said sleeve nearest said base and disposed forcooperatively engaging said axial grooves; means engaging said keysleeve and preventing rotation of said sleeve in said barrel butpermitting relative axial movement therebetween; and furthercharacterized in that the reduced conduit portion of said tubular barrelis smaller in outer cylindrical diameter than said housing, said barrelhaving an axial bore hole between said conduit portion and said housing,and wherein said tubular key sleeve is provided with an axially extendedretracting means projected through said bore hole.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS975,138 Lancaster Nov. 8, 1910 995,966 Hill June 20, 1911 1,113,556 HillOct. 13, 1914 1,883,071 Stone Oct. 18, 1932 1,899,469 Mecom et al Feb.28, 1933 2,015,786 Carcano Oct. 1, 1935 2,202,261 Osmun May 28, 19402,648,553 Ulrich Aug. 11, 1953 2,673,751 Finch Mar. 30, 1954 2,736,384Potts Feb. 28, 1956 2,804,319 Weber Aug. 27, 1957 2,893,694 Waggener-July 7, 1959 2,950,929 Nicolson Aug. 30, 1960 3,023,809 McClintock Mar.6, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 433,495 Great Britain Aug. 15, 1935

